Thursday 14 November 2013

Live Stand Up and Improv Comedy Shows Booking in the G.T.A. and Newmarket

If you're looking for live comedy showsin the G.T.A., of the stand up kind at least, you have to look pretty hard. Sure there are sporadic showings of Yuk Yuks hosting various levels of shows here or there north of the city, but nothing sustained in one spot, and certainly no place that has claimed comedy as its own. TPE productions hopes to end that by offering live stand-up, emcee or improv comedy shows.Stellar Hall may just be that place.


I've noticed a lack of available comedy stages in the north of Toronto spots for a long time like Richmond Hill Markham, Thornhill and Vaughn as well as Stouffville, King, Aurora, Georgina and what have you ...Nothing!, And I don't think its because their isn't a market for it - Canadians attend comedy movies #1 of all genres - just that no one aside from Yuk Yuks has ever seemed to package anything affordably tangible and sustain it. Some improvisation troupes are around, I helped start one and was the original Producer and also for for the TV version of  The Canadian Improv Showcase, but it's not the same.

Around that time I was also a regular attendee of the Yuk Yuks stand-up comedy workshops run by the circuit pros and learned a lot from them. Guys like Mike Bullard, Glenn Foster and others taught us the ropes with the idea of it leading up to a performance in the Canada's Funniest New Comic Contest. It was literally my first time on stage doing my stand up routine on stage and didn't win - Jeremy Hotz did - but I did cut my teeth, and gained a respect for those that do it for a living.

Knowing this, I've always kept in the back of my mind the lure of comedy, and the need for a regular spot / stage north of Toronto to be showcasing comedic talent - not only for TPE, but for entertainments sake as I personally enjoy comedy and would like to have something nearby to keep myself entertained. I've done that a lot - created something to entertain myself. Ha. But usually others enjoy it too - like when as a single I got bored with the only 30plus bar worth salt in town and created my own licensed event night, complete with a buffet, live music(duo or trio) followed by a DJ / dance, had old TV movies and shows on the screens and ran games with prizes, like a mock version of the old "Dating Game" live. It was a blast...and so that in itself is the allure of putting on shows of any kind - whether it be a film or a live event - giving others a lift.

TP scouts talent
Recently I was invited by a Yuk Yukker agent (and former stand up comedian) to check out some of the up and coming performers for Yuk Yuks performers from across Canada, and looks like we have some great talent in the fish pool ready for the big time shows.TPE would likely use Yuk Yuk's for some venues but to create a local scene it will take other types of supportive comedy nights.

I likely will not host though, as I've come across a talented "young" stand-up comedy phenom, Jeff Leeson and a host of sidekick stand-up guys who can take the load while I can float in and out doing cameos or filler when needed.

What I have in mind is a similar set up for an open stage but with at least one feature comedian / host and perhaps, along with a  couple others to open the night and then open up the stage to amateurs.  This format can be tailored and is ideal for corporate gigs.

Perhaps a contest to find The G.T.A. suburbia's funniest comic!? Stay Tuned!
TP's " Pick Up Lines"



Friday 27 September 2013

Shawn Stockman, Glam, Rocker Vocalist Extraordinaire

I first became aware of Shawn Stockman's (not from Boyz II Men) vocal abilities in public school, with his participating in the choir. I knew this because I had been in a choir too, albeit lower grade, but back then us guys sat out like sore thumbs in choirs. That was for girls mostly. But we liked to sing I guess and one other guy who convinced me to join simply because he liked being around the girls was the only other boy as I can recall. Of course my cohort who couldn't sing a lick got the part in the operetta as the King, without any singing; whilst the only other boy, me, was made a lead, the Chancellor, in his Majesty's Pie." Oh, a Tailor was I, just look at me now, I am leading the troops, but I just don't know how!". Ha. Still remember the lines.

Shawn on the other hand stood out even more. Me, I was a geek back then and so it wasn't a stretch for me to be in a choir, but Stocks was another story. He was one of the "cool" kids, and egads, he even smoked with the older guys on occasion as I recall. A rebel in waiting as it were..ha..and then he discovered Rock & Roll!

In fact he grew up around Wayne Parker of Glass Tiger who's music was too bubblegum for our tastes back then, and besides - they weren't cool...Ha.

With an amazing range of vocal abilities Shawn can mimick any hard to do rockers out there like ACDC or Led Zeppelin and the like, even Roy Orbison, putting some to shame in fact with his uncanny note for note hitting, energetic style. It's one thing to belt out a tune in recording, but a real test of a performers abilities is on stage & with plenty of stage time experience, Stockman commands that stage presence needed to really be an authentic lead vocalist. Nothing highlighted that more than his performances as Judas co-starring alongside Jesus (who'd of thunk!) in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Georgina Hall where he performed to rave reviews and deservedly so. He still performs some of those songs at resorts and select performances.

Having played in various rock, metal, cover, and glam rock bands over the years including gigs at the now defunct Larry's Hideaway with his Iron Maiden Tribute band in the 80's, which had a dressing room overlooking an alley with hookers offering up a surprise every time they opened the curtains, and many others as well as he has performed on bills with powerhouse rockers such as Nazareth, Teenage Head, The Kings, Goddo, Allan Frew and The Stampeders to name a few.

Back then they used home-made "flash-pots", made with gunpowder, which on more than occasion caused havoc with the leopard print spandex clad crew! Shawn eventually opted for leather after some untimely and unscheduled explosions around the nether regions.Ha!

Shawn Stockman shot a video at the RPM warehouse back when Ozzy Osbourn was around for an MTV shoot and was able to shoot his video interview in front of the Prince of Darkness' tour van when Ozzy's security guys didn't like their original location of the roof. A cool compromise for sure, although the Prince of D himself turned down an offer from Shawn and the guys to burn some "good stuff" as he wasn't feeling well. Still, he got a very cool interview background!

He's had his share of parties and experiences for sure and learned the hard way, that Scots don't like to be called a "Brit", via a stare that could kill, and a sudden silence in a big busy dressing room when he jokingly said, "

"Ha, you Brits are all alike....",

when chatting up a Dan Mcafferty of Nazareth after a gig. I can almost hear the crickets chirping! After feigning ignorance they laughed it off and continued the party wherein whenever a doobie was passed through the room their (now deceased) 250 lb drummer, dressed in only his fruit of the looms, would immediately stand up sending scantily clad beauties from each knee flying! Apparently they didn't mind either because each time they'd return to a knee perch - something Stocks never forgot. Ha.


Based out of both Jamaica and Huntsville, Ontario, Canada now, Shawn has a growing legion of island fans - becoming legendary for his performances and ready to lend his voice out to projects demanding his style of note for note vocals for a variety of media and music forms....and he can still belt them out!




Check out Shawn's vocals on his original tune T.H.C.!
Interested to book Shawn Stockman in the GTA Contact TPE

Here's a sample song list from a typical Shawn Stockman Live.